The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved a contract with a construction manager for developing sewer systems in the north Santiam Canyon.
Commissioners approved a $375,000 contract with Stayton-based Slayden Constructors, Inc. to manage the sewer work through 2026.
The project is paid for by federal pandemic relief funding,
The contractor would also provide “value engineering services” intended to save costs on the project, according to the agenda item.
Commissioner Danielle Bethell at the meeting disclosed a “potential conflict of interest,” saying her son worked for Slayden Constructors, Inc.
The board also unanimously approved adding $77,000 of federal pandemic relief funding to a contract with AKS Engineering and Forestry to continue restoration work in Marion County parks.
Public Works Director Brian Nicholas said at the meeting that the work will include development at Parkdale Park in Hayesville, just outside city limits in northeast Salem. That project is intended to add more outdoor green space and an improved stormwater system to a 6-acre park that has remained undeveloped despite recent housing growth in the area.
The new contract would total about $177,000 and span through 2025, according to the agenda item.
Commissioners also unanimously approved a $190,000 agreement with the state Department of Transportation to make safety improvements along the Yergen Road, McKay Road, and Ehlen Road corridor, near the cities of Donald and St. Paul.
The work will include designing and installing radar speed signs and rumble strips at two locations along State Highway 219 and Northeast Bents Road. ODOT will also analyze curves along the roads and install curve warning signs and other devices to help reduce collisions at night, according to the agenda item.
The project would mostly be funded by federal money, about $171,000, with the county covering the rest.
The board unanimously approved or advanced other agenda items, including changes to the county code related to homes permitted to run events as “home occupations” and allowing a smaller home on the same lot as a rural home sitting on acreage.
Clarification: This story was updated after Commissioner Colm Willis said at the meeting that the agenda originally overstated the funding amount for the county’s contract with Slayden Constructors, Inc.
Original story below:
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday will consider contracting with a construction manager for developing sewer systems in the north Santiam Canyon.
READ IT: AGENDA
Commissioners will consider a $375,000 contract with Stayton-based Slayden Constructors, Inc. to manage the sewer work through 2026.
The contractor would also provide “value engineering services” intended to save costs on the project, according to the agenda item.
To participate
The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Senator Hearing Room at 555 Court Street N.E. Anyone can attend or sign up to give public comment in-person at the meeting. The meeting is streamed live on YouTube.
Park and road improvements
Commissioners will consider adding $77,000 of federal pandemic relief funding to a contract with AKS Engineering and Forestry to continue restoration work in Marion County parks.
The new contract would total about $177,000 and span through 2025, according to the agenda item.
The board will consider a $190,000 agreement with the state Department of Transportation to make safety improvements along the Yergen Road, McKay Road, and Ehlen Road corridor, near the cities of Donald and St. Paul.
The work would include designing and installing radar speed signs and rumble strips at two locations along State Highway 219 and Northeast Bents Road. ODOT would also analyze curves along the roads and install curve warning signs and other devices to help reduce collisions at night, according to the agenda item.
The project would mostly be funded by federal money, about $171,000, with the county covering the rest.
Property rules
Commissioners will consider adopting an ordinance to amend a county code that limited gatherings to 750 people at homes permitted to run events as “home occupations.” That limit applied to home businesses on agricultural or timber land that host gatherings such as weddings, reunions, company picnics and memorials, according to an Aug. 9 meeting agenda.
The board scheduled adoption of the ordinance at its last meeting on Sept. 6.
Commissioners will consider a resolution initiating an amendment to the county code to allow a smaller home on the same lot as a rural home sitting on acreage.
They will consider scheduling a public hearing on the matter for Oct. 25.
Public hearings
Commissioners will hold a public hearing to consider an annual performance evaluation report for the Community Development Block Grant, federal money given to local and state governments for programs that provide services such as housing assistance and social services, and HOME Investment Partnership Entitlement Programs, which pay for services like building or buying affordable housing and rental assistance.
Federal regulations require the board to submit the report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by Sept. 30 showing how Marion County used the funding over the past two years, according to the agenda item.
Commissioners will act on the resolution after the hearing.
They will also hold a public hearing to consider zoning and planning changes related to 2.16-acre property in Donald.
Also on the agenda
Commissioners will consider proclamation designating the week of Sept. 17-23, 2023, as Constitution Week in Marion County.
The board will consider appointing Douglas Cox, Julie Hoy, Christopher Eppley and Nicholas Hunter, and reappointing Christopher Baldridge, Jonathan Bauer, Garland Carnell King Jr., Peter McCallum, Tim Murphy, and Shaney Starr to the Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council.
The 32-member council advises the board of commissioners and includes public safety, education, social services, civic and business leaders, as well as representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, community corrections, public defense, judiciary, domestic violence services, public health and juvenile justice. They would be appointed to three-year terms.
Commissioners will consider spending about $104,000 to renew a cyber security service from CDW Government, LLC for the county’s Information Technology Department.
They will also consider buying a 2024 2100i Vactor Flusher Truck from Owen Equipment for $547,000 to be used by the county’s Public Works Department.
Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.
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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
